I never said it would be easy, but it will be worth it

Do you ever feel that what you are trying to do or accomplish is so difficult that you wonder why you put forth all the effort?

By Sarah LendtM.S. Ed

Do you ever feel that what you are trying to do or accomplish is so difficult that you wonder why you put forth all the effort?

Educating, raising children properly, exercising, having a good marriage, being healthy, eating well, helping others, having a strong work ethic, balancing work and family, care giving, or reaching other life-goals you’ve set for yourself. It can be easy to lose faith or energy for continuing what we know is important. Some people say, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well” and others say, “Anything worth doing is really hard.” Great achievements and goals are met only when hard work and perseverance are in place.

Consider the challenges you currently face. Which are chosen challenges? Things that you’ve agreed to take on.

In these cases, try to remember your purpose for working so hard for them and consider these thoughts: What is your goal? What are you trying to achieve? What difference are you making for yourself, for others, possibly for the next generation? What would happen if you quit this challenge? How would you feel? When answers to such questions clear frustration or weariness, and send a tinge of energy through your body ~ you know your efforts are worth continuing. There is a great purpose for your hard work!

How about new goals? Did you set some for the New Year? Goals are like maps reminding you of where it is you intend to go in life. They can be set on a number of levels, but considering the “big picture” and thinking about what you want from life, is a great place to start. What do you want your legacy to be? Legacy is “something received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past” (Webster). It also means how someone is remembered, and what contributions they made while they were alive. How would you like to be remembered? What do you live for?

After you consider this overall perspective, write it down in a special place and then take into account how your short-term or long-term goals match up to it. Short-term goals would be things you hope to accomplish in the next days, weeks, months, or few years. Long-term goals can be set for the next five or 10 years or longer. Make sure the goals you set are realistic and are ones that you genuinely want to achieve, not ones that your parents, family or employers might want ~ remain true to yourself!

Goals need to be revisited and revised, but having them in place helps you know where to concentrate your energy and efforts in life and you’ll be able to quickly spot distractions that can so easily lead you astray. Best wishes for you in this New Year and working toward your goals and what is truly important to you in life. Remember that it may not be easy, but it will be worth it!